Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

The concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is primarily designed for those who wish to pursue employment in a clinical mental health setting and pursue licensure as a professional counselor.

The 60 credit program is a basis for preparation for the requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor in the State of Tennessee.

Methods of Instruction

Methods of instruction in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program include: classroom teaching/lecture, student-led presentations, hybridized course delivery with content pushed out to students, engaging with the institution’s learning management system, Canvas, independent reading and research, and clinical placements in the appropriate field setting. In accordance with established graduate school matriculation policies, known in the Graduate Catalog as “Continuation Standards,” students are expected to maintain a B average in order to remain in the program. Students who earn a C in one class must repeat it for a better grade. Earning two Cs will result in program dismissal.

Admissions

Application to the Counseling Program is made in the spring for fall admission. Candidates wishing to apply to the counseling program must submit a completed application to the Graduate School office no later than February 1. To be officially admitted to the Counseling Program, applicants must first meet all general requirements for admission to the UTC Graduate School. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate (also known as bachelor's) degree before beginning graduate school work. All forms and materials should be submitted directly to the Graduate School. Until fully admitted, students will not be allowed to register for core Counseling Program courses. Prior to admission into the Counseling Program, students may register for EPSY 5010 Methods of Educational Research. No applicant will be admitted to the Counseling Program with conditional admission status. In addition to regular graduate admission requirements, candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Provide 2-3 professional and/or academic recommendations pertaining to the candidate’s potential as a counselor.
2. Submit a résumé reflecting professional experience and volunteer work, related to the helping profession.
3. As part of the application, you will be asked two Graduate School Essay questions. Along with the two Graduate School Essay Questions, you will also be required to submit a biographical sketch indicating the motivation to become a counselor. You may wish to use the two Graduate School Essay Questions as a guide to complete your biographical sketch. You will be able to upload your biographical sketch via the Application Portal after your Graduate School application has been submitted.
4. The applicant must attend an admission workshop that includes a group interview with faculty and pass a writing proficiency exam. After the interview and writing exam, candidates will be notified in writing as to their acceptance in the program. No oral confirmations of admission status will be provided.

Program Courses

(also displayed in the program catalog)

Minimum degree requirements

Requirements for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program Master’s of Education includes earning a minimum of 60 semester hours of course credit, including the core counseling courses and successful completion of 700 hours of clinical placement in the field, successful completion of professional fitness evaluations by program core faculty, a completion of exit examination processes (including completion of the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination [CPCE], a final theories paper with an embedded case study, and satisfactory formative reviews from university and site supervisors), and adhere to the Continuation Standard. Students must maintain a 3.0 to remain enrolled in the UTC Graduate School and the Counselor Education program. A grade of C or Unsatisfactory in a course will require that a student repeat the course. Students who earn two Cs will be dismissed from the UTC Graduate School and Counselor Education graduate program.

Please contact Dr. Kevin Doyle. He is the Coordinator of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.